Ultra-luxury apartments at the V&A Waterfront where you cannot buy a property and have to be 60 years old to live

The V&A Waterfront is developing The Bower, a 147 ultra-luxury apartment development for adults aged 60 and older, which will offer hotel-style services, wellness facilities and on-site healthcare.

The development is located on Breakwater Boulevard in Granger Bay, next to the InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town hotel.

Unlike traditional residential developments, The Bower operates under a Life Rights model. Residents pay for the exclusive right to occupy an apartment for the rest of their lives, rather than buying the property.

This means residents cannot sell their apartments on the open market or own them in the traditional sense. Instead, their occupancy and any refundable funds are governed by the Life Rights agreement.

The development is part of the first phase of the V&A Waterfront’s broader Granger Bay expansion.

Construction is underway, with completion expected in November 2027. The first residents are expected to move in from 1 February 2028.

The Bower has been designed for independent adults aged 60 and older who want to maintain their lifestyle while having access to additional support as their needs change.

The development will have 147 apartments, ranging from one-bedroom units to larger three-bedroom options. Apartments start from 86m² for a one-bedroom and go up to 305m² for a three-bedroom.

The apartments have been designed to maximise natural light and provide generous living spaces with outdoor access.

Residents will also be able to choose between three interior design collections: Luxury, Premium and Cloud Nine. Two colour palettes, called Table Cloth and Atlantic, will also be available.

International architectural firm KPF designed the building, which features a V-shaped layout centred on a communal garden.

The design aims to give each apartment a private outlook while keeping residents connected to shared spaces.

The building’s southern edge will step back to preserve the ocean views of the neighbouring InterContinental Table Bay hotel.

Its rooflines reference Cape Town’s working harbour, while details on the facade draw inspiration from local plants and kelp forests.

Amenities at The Bower

The development’s amenities are designed to combine independent living with hospitality and healthcare services.

These include a gym, yoga studio, wellness centre, heated indoor lap pool, vitality pool, restaurant and bar.

Residents will also have access to a private cinema, library lounge, meeting spaces and communal gardens on the first and fifth floors.

A lifestyle manager will coordinate activities and concierge services, while private-chef dining will provide another hospitality offering.

The development will also include 24-hour concierge support, high-speed Wi-Fi and a communal braai area.

The Bower will have on-site medical support, 24-hour nursing and access to primary care. Residents will also have access to managed home-based care and annual wellness assessments.

A dedicated 14-unit Memory Care Centre will provide specialised support for residents who require it.

The model is intended to allow residents to remain within the community as their healthcare needs evolve, rather than having to move elsewhere when they require additional assistance.

The V&A Waterfront’s expansion

The Bower forms part of a broader development programme at the V&A Waterfront, which is continuing to expand beyond its traditional role as a shopping, tourism and hospitality destination.

The development is included in the first phase of the planned Granger Bay expansion, a proposed R24 billion project along Cape Town’s coastline.

The broader Granger Bay plans are expected to roll out over approximately 10 to 15 years.

The proposals include new residential and commercial developments, alongside public spaces intended to improve access to the coastline.

Plans also include a 1km coastal park and promenade, which would open more of the shoreline to the public and strengthen connections between the area and the sea.

The full development could eventually provide homes for approximately 6,000 people and support up to 125,000 jobs by 2046.

However, several approvals are still required before the broader project can proceed. These include national government approval for any proposed land reclamation.

The Bower is one part of this wider transformation, adding a later-living residential offering to the Waterfront’s existing mix of hotels, restaurants, retail outlets and cultural attractions.

Its location also places residents within walking distance of Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre, the Cape Town EDITION, the coastal walking route and the Silo District, which includes Zeitz MOCAA.

The development follows the V&A Waterfront’s approach of combining new buildings with wider public and cultural spaces.

One example is the Silo District, where the redevelopment of a disused grain silo created a mixed-use precinct that includes Zeitz MOCAA.

The Waterfront said this approach would continue with The Bower, which has been designed around its setting and the needs of its future residents.

V&A Waterfront CEO Graham Wood said the development responds to demand for luxury later living along the Atlantic seaboard.

“It reflects our confidence in Cape Town’s later-living opportunity, and our belief that ageing well should be supported by service, choice and a strong sense of place,” he said.

“We have built The Bower around the qualities people value in hotel life – service, warmth and choice – while creating a residential community that allows people to remain independent and connected.”

The development’s sales were scheduled to open to the public on 28 August 2026, with first occupation expected from February 2028.

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Photos of The Bower

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